Facebook Marketplace is a section of the platform that’s dedicated to local sales, with users able to list items that they have for sale or to giveaway – a bit like an online garage or yard sale.
Of course, the challenge with this comes in separating the genuine offers and bargains from potential scams. With any financial process carried out online there comes an opportunity for a scam – whether you’re a buyer who is scammed into paying for an item that doesn’t exist, or a seller who never gets paid.
In this article, we thought we’d compile a list of tips and advice to avoid being scammed on Facebook – in the hopes of helping more users access Facebook Marketplace confidently and safely.
Don’t Put Your Phone Number
As soon as you add a phone number to your listing or your offer to buy a product, you create an avenue which moves community away from Facebook. And once communication is moved off Facebook, it is no longer protected under Facebook’s policy.
We would even go so far as to say that if the seller or buyer asks you to communicate directly rather than on Facebook, this should be a red flag. Those intent on following the process properly should be and often will be happy to keep communication within the app.
Don’t Send Money Until You Have the Item
If you’re a buyer, then believe us when we say that cash is king – and if it’s not cash, then a quick BACS transfer upon receipt of the item will usually suffice.
In short, it’s wise to put off all transfer of funds until you see the item and can confirm that it is what you are expecting to buy. Any seller who demands payment in advance of you arriving to pick up the item is one to be wary of.
Be Wary of a Bargain
Facebook Marketplace is full of sellers who are keen to part with items for cash – often listing items at incredibly reduced prices in order to ensure that they sell. This means that you will often pick up a bargain by shopping on Facebook Marketplace – though there is certainly an argument to be careful of something that seems too good to be true!
If you come across an item which you feel is listed well below a reasonable asking price, or the deal feels overly generous and too good to be true, then it’s worth approaching with caution.
A seller who promises the world is one to be wary of.
If the Photos Are Screenshotted From Online
There is certainly some benefit to showing an item in different locations and from different perspectives, to provide a clear visual of how it looks and its size / other dimensions.
However, if you come across a listing which uses online professional photos from the original listing, and no photos taken by the seller, then you need to be aware that they aren’t misrepresenting an item which, in reality, is a fake.
This is of particular concern when the seller claims to be selling a designer or very expensive item. They need to be able to prove that they have the exact item and show you how it looks, before you agree to give them any money.
If not, the chances are that you could overpay for something which is of a lower quality.
Check Their Profile
Our fifth and final piece of advice is to pay attention to what they put on their profile. A user’s Facebook Marketplace profile can give away some information about them including their profile picture and name – and can also raise suspicion if these basic details seem to be missing.
If, for example, you click through to view a Marketplace contact’s profile and see that they don’t have a genuine profile photo or name, and have no location listed, then this should be cause for concern.
Keeping Yourself Safe on Facebook Marketplace
The most important thing to ask yourself when using Facebook Marketplace is whether or not you trust the user who you are buying from or selling to.
If there are things which feel off or seem suspicious, then approach with caution and don’t be afraid to be wary – especially if you recognise any of the above signs.
We hope that this article and the advice shared within it helps you to recognise the risks of using Marketplace and keep yourself safe when dealing with buyers and/or sellers on the platform.
